System for illuminating medical infusion lines

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are various embodiments for illuminated medical infusion including, for example, a medical infusion system which includes a source of illumination and an illuminating infusion line and wherein the illuminating infusion line includes an integrated fluid transmission channel and light transmission channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit andpriority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/067,512 filed on Mar.11, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,232,107 issued on Mar. 19, 2019, entitled“ILLUMINATED MEDICAL INFUSION,” which claims the benefit of ProvisionalApplication 62/231,338 filed on Jul. 2, 2015, entitled “METHOD FORIDENTIFYING CHANNELS AND/OR LINES USING ILLUMINATION,” the contents ofwhich is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to the administration of medicalinfusion. Medical infusion typically serves to administer medications,fluids, nutrients, solutions, and other materials intravenously to apatient. Patients are often administered medical infusion usingintravenous infusion lines. Such intravenous infusion lines generallyconsist of flexible, plastic tubing connected at one end to a fluidsource and at another end to a needle or port that provides access to ablood vessel of a patient. It is not uncommon for many infusion lines,each connected to a different source of fluid, to be used simultaneouslyto deliver several medications at once to a single patient. It is alsonot uncommon for the needles or ports to be located adjacent oneanother, such as multiple adjacent needles providing access into thebrachial vein running through the arm of the patient.

Distinguishing between multiple infusion lines is a difficult task, andmedication delivery error as a result of improperly distinguishing oneinfusion line from another is a serious problem in current infusionsystems. The confusion of one infusion line from another is one of theleading causes of preventable medication error. It is potentiallylife-threatening and is a serious and ongoing concern and cost tomedical facilities. As a result of the difficulties in distinguishingbetween multiple infusion lines, their associated fluid sources andoutputs, and the potentially life-threatening possibilities that canoccur if incompatible medications are injected through the same infusionline, there is a need for accurate identification of infusion lines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood withreference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings arenot necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed uponclearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 sets forth a line drawing illustrating an example system forilluminated medical infusion according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 sets forth a line drawing illustrating another example ofilluminated medical infusion according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 sets forth a line drawing of a cross section of an illuminatinginfusion line according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 sets forth a line drawing of an illuminating infusion line havinga cross section similar to the illuminating infusion line of the exampleof FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 sets forth a line drawing illustrating a cross section of anilluminating infusion line according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 sets forth a line drawing of an illuminating infusion line havinga cross section similar to the infusion line of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 sets forth a line drawing illustrating cross section of anotherexample embodiment of an illuminating infusion line according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 sets forth a line drawing illustrating cross section of anotherexample embodiment of an illuminating infusion line according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 sets forth a line drawing illustrating an example embodiment of asynchronous light source for illuminated medical infusion according toembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 sets forth a line drawing illustrating an example embodiment ofan illuminating infusion line having a disconnected fluid transmissionchannel and a continuous light transmission channel.

FIG. 11A sets forth a line drawing of an inline component with a lighttransmission channel according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11B sets forth a line drawing of an inline component with a lighttransmission channel according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 12 sets forth a line drawing illustrating an infusion manifold withan integrated source of illumination.

FIG. 13 sets forth a line drawing illustrating an infusion pump with anintegrated source of illumination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illuminated medical infusion, according to example embodiments of thepresent invention, is described with reference to the attached drawings,beginning with FIG. 1. FIG. 1 sets forth a line drawing illustrating anexample system for illuminated medical infusion according to embodimentsof the present invention. The example of FIG. 1 depicts an extremelycomplex situation for medical infusion that is very commonplace inmodern medicine. Often in hospital emergency rooms and intensive careunits the sheer number of infusion lines, infusion pumps, and otherinfusion components providing medication and other infusion materials toa single patient is becoming a complex administrative challenge to themedical practitioner. Typical protocols for administering the infusionlines in situations such as the one depicted in FIG. 1 instruct themedical practitioner to physically handle or trace the line from itssource all the way to the patient and then back to the source to ensurethat the infusion and its delivery are proper. As will occur to readersof skill in the art, when the medical infusion becomes as complex as itis in FIG. 1, an illuminated medical infusion system provides anadditional aid to a medical practitioner to ensure that the properinfusion is taking place line-by-line.

The illuminated medical infusion system of FIG. 1 includes twostand-alone medical infusion pumps (102) and a rack of medical infusionpumps (104). A medical infusion pump is a medical device used to deliverfluids into a patient's body in a controlled manner. There are manydifferent types of infusion pumps which are used for a variety ofpurposes and in a variety of environments. Infusion pumps may be capableof delivering fluids in large or small amounts, and may be used todeliver nutrients or medications such as insulin or other hormones,antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and pain relievers. Examples of medicalinfusion pumps include syringe pumps, elastomeric pumps, a peristalticpumps, multi-channel pumps, smart pumps, enteral pumps,patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps, insulin pumps and others aswill occur to those of skill in the art.

A syringe infusion pump is typically implemented as an external infusionpump which utilizes a piston syringe as the fluid reservoir and tocontrol fluid delivery. An elastomeric infusion pump utilizes the energyin an elastic membrane to provide the force for fluid delivery. A smartpump is typically implemented as an infusion pump equipped with IVmedication error-prevention software that alerts operators when a pumpsetting is programmed outside of pre-configured limits. In a peristalticpump, a set of rollers pinch down on a length of flexible tubing,pushing fluid forward.

Multi-channel pumps allow fluids to be delivered from multiplereservoirs at multiple rates. An enteral infusion pump is an infusionpump that delivers liquid nutrients and medicines into the patient'sdigestive tract. Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) infusion pumps areintended for the delivery of analgesics (pain relievers) and are oftenequipped with a feature that allows for additional limited delivery ofmedication upon patient demand. Insulin infusion pumps are typicallyimplemented as ambulatory electromechanical pumps typically used todeliver insulin to patients with diabetes. Such insulin infusion pumpsare used mainly by home care patients but may also be used in ahealthcare facility.

The infusion pumps (102) and the rack of infusion pumps (104) may beimplemented as any of the pumps described above or other type ofinfusion pump as will occur to those of skill in the art. In the exampleof FIG. 1, the infusion pumps (102) and the rack of infusion pumps (104)deliver medication or other infusion materials to a patient (106)through a number of illuminating infusion lines (108). An illuminatinginfusion line is an infusion line that can be illuminated upon beingexposed to a source of illumination. By illuminating an infusion line, amedical practitioner can more accurately and safely administer theinfusion lines and trace those infusion lines end-to-end therebyreducing infusion line mix-ups and reducing medication delivery errors.

The illuminating infusion lines (108 and 108 c) of FIG. 1 areimplemented as infusion lines each with an integrated fluid transmissionchannel and a light transmission channel. The fluid transmission channelprovides a channel for the delivery of medications or other fluids tothe patient (106). The light transmission channel is illuminated whenthe light transmission channel is exposed to a source of illumination.In this manner, when a source of illumination is applied to theilluminating infusion line the infusion line illuminates allowing amedical practitioner to more readily identify the infusion line formedical services to the patient. Medical services performed by themedical practitioner can include adjusting the delivery of fluids to thepatient, changing the infusion line, and any other operations as willoccur to those of skill in the art.

A channel as that term is used in this specification means a pathway,passage, medium or other form of transmission of fluid, light,information, or any other transmittable as will occur to those of skillin the art. In some embodiments, a channel may be implemented as aconduit allowing the transmission of light, such as, for example, anoptical fiber for fiber optic light transmission. Another example of achannel according to embodiments of the present invention is implementedas a conduit that includes a hollow fluid transmission line allowing forthe flow or transmission of fluids through the conduit. Alternatively, achannel may be implemented simply as a medium for transmission. Forexample, the structure that forms a conduit around a fluid transmissionline, as discussed in more detail below, may itself be a channel fortransmission of light for illuminating the conduit itself.

In the example of FIG. 1, the fluid transmission channel and the lighttransmission channel of the illuminating infusion line (106) areintegrated. That is, the fluid transmission channel and the lighttransmission channel are attached to one another such that the twochannels coexist with one another for the useful life of theilluminating infusion line. Integration of the light transmissionchannel and the fluid transmission channel thereby reduces any need forthe medical practitioner to administer any components of the line itselfto make the infusion line illuminate and can concentrate only onattachment, replacement, or other administration of the illuminatinginfusion line in a manner similar to conventional infusion lines withthe benefit of having the line illuminated when exposed to a source ofillumination. Furthermore, the illuminating infusion lines of thepresent invention do not require a medical practitioner to do anyadditional set up, such as combining a light transmission channel with afluid transmission channel because they are already integrated as willoccur to those of skill in the art.

In the example of FIG. 1, an infusion manifold (110) receives a numberof illuminating infusion lines from the rack of infusion pumps (104). Aninfusion manifold is a medical infusion apparatus in which a pluralityof valves or other infusion components are integrated. Such manifoldsoften provide one or more attachments for infusion lines each connectedwith one or more infusion pumps. Such manifolds also often provideattachments for other infusion lines connected from the manifold to thepatient. The inclusion of a manifold is for explanation and not forlimitation. Illuminated medical infusion according to embodiments of thepresent invention may be implemented without manifolds as will occur tothose of skill in the art.

In the example of FIG. 1, the infusion manifold (110) provides an accesspoint for infusion from a syringe (114), such as, for example, anintravenous bolus, which is sometimes called an intravenous push. Anintravenous bolus is typically considered a relatively large dose ofmedication administered into a vein for a short period, usually within 1to 30 minutes. The IV bolus is commonly used when rapid administrationof a medication is needed, such as in an emergency, when drugs thatcannot be diluted, such as many cancer chemotherapeutic drugs, areadministered, and when the therapeutic purpose is to achieve a peak druglevel in the bloodstream of the patient. In administering such anintravenous bolus, illuminated medical infusion provides a visual aid toa medical practitioner careful to administer the bolus on the correctinfusion line. Illuminated medical infusion according to embodiments ofthe present invention also aids a medical practitioner in identifyingthe correct infusion point along a complex medical infusion line.

As mentioned above, the illuminating infusion lines of FIG. 1 may beilluminated with a source of illumination. A source of illumination is adevice that provides the impetus to illuminating an infusion lineaccording to embodiments of the present invention. As discussed in moredetail below, such sources of illumination may be handheld sources ofillumination administered by a medical practitioner, attachable sourcesof illumination for attachment onto the illuminating infusion line,sources of illumination integrated into the illuminating infusion line,sources of illumination integrated into an infusion pump, sources ofillumination integrated into an infusion manifold, or any other sourceof illumination that will occur to those of skill in the art. A sourceof illumination may be implemented as a source of light, such as, forexample, a laser, a light emitting diode (‘LED’), an organic lightemitting diode (‘OLED’), or other source of light that will occur tothose of skill in the art. Such sources of light are especially usefulin illuminating light transmission channels of illuminating infusionlines according the embodiments of the present invention implementedwith, for example, optical fibers. Sources of illumination, however, arenot limited only to sources of light. Sources of illumination may alsoinclude sources of electrical potential inducing an electrical currentfor illumination of the infusion line through electroluminescence.Sources of illumination may include sources of stimulating fluorescenceas will occur to those of skill in the art. Even further, sources ofillumination may include chemical reactions for illuminating theinfusion line through chemiluminescence or other forms of chemicalluminescence. The above are just a few references for sources ofillumination; other sources of illumination will occur to those of skillin the art.

In the example of FIG. 1, one of the illuminating infusion lines (108 c)is attached to an infusion filter (112). An infusion filter is one ofmany in-line components that often reside between or within illuminatinginfusion lines for illuminated medical infusion according to embodimentsof the present invention. An infusion filter is one of a number ofdevices used to help ensure the purity of intravenous solutions. Suchfilters are often used to strain the solution to remove contaminants,such as dissolved impurities, extraneous salts, microorganisms,particles, precipitates, undissolved drug powders and other contaminantsthat will occur to those of skill in the art. Such filters are alsooften used to eliminate or reduce air bubbles in the infusion line aswill occur to those of skill in the art.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a single illuminatinginfusion line may be manufactured with a filter in-line within it suchthat the light transmission channel is not interrupted by the filter,thereby allowing the entire length of the illuminating infusion line toilluminate. In other embodiments, the light transmission channel isinterrupted by the filter or other in-line component or impedimentinstalled in the line. In still other embodiments, the filter residesbetween two illuminating infusion lines. In some embodiments where thelight transmission channel of one or more illuminating infusion lines isinterrupted by a filter or other in-line component or impediment, asource of illumination may be used to illuminate the infusion lines oneither side of the impediment, as is discussed in more detail below. Insome embodiments, two sources of illumination may reside on either endof the in-line component, and each may asynchronously illuminate theirrespective infusion lines. In other embodiments, the two sources ofillumination may operate synchronously such that both sources ofillumination illuminate their respective infusion lines together. Suchsynchronous sources of illumination may operate by being coupled fordata communications through wired or wired connection as will occur tothose of skill in the art. Other sources may bypass the in-line filter,in-line component, or line impediment by the practitioner directing thesource of illumination to a location on the line, and correspondinglyrepeating the process on the other side of the in-line filter orimpediment. Other sources of illumination may originate within or on themanifold, infusion pump, or any other infusion component and worksynchronously with other sources of illumination in order to illuminatethe entirety of the line. The example filter of FIG. 1 is forexplanation and not for limitation. Many in-line components maythemselves be illuminated for illuminated medical infusion according toembodiments of the present invention including valves, access points,manifolds and other components for medical infusion that will occur tothose of skill in the art.

FIG. 1 illustrates illuminated medical infusion in the context in whichit may be most useful and best understood—very complicated infusionsituations such as those that are common in hospital emergency rooms orintensive care units. That is, the example of FIG. 1 illustratesilluminated medical infusion with many infusion lines, infusion pumps,an infusion manifold, a filter and so on. In such situations, theability to have an illuminating infusion line which has a static andintegrated light transmission channel is extremely useful to the medicalpractitioner and provides increased safety to the patient. For furtherexplanation, however, FIG. 2 sets forth a line drawing illustratinganother depiction of illuminated medical infusion according toembodiments of the present invention. For purposes of explanation, theexample of FIG. 2 is a simpler depiction of illuminated medical infusionthan is depicted in the example of FIG. 1. In the example of FIG. 2,fewer components for illuminated medical infusion are included for thesake of clarity. In the example of FIG. 2 four illuminating infusionlines according to embodiments of the present invention are attached toan infusion manifold (110). Two of the illuminating infusion lines arealso attached to an infusion pump (102). In the example of FIG. 2, eachof the illuminating infusion lines are capable of illumination with asource of illumination which may be either handheld, attached to theline, integrated into the line itself, integrated into an infusionmanifold or other infusion component, integrated into an infusion pumpor other source of illumination as will occur to those of skill in theart. By illuminating each infusion line between a medication or othersolution being administered and the patient, a medical practitioner cantrace the line from the medication to the patient, and such tracing isaided with visual aid of the illumination of the line. Readers of skillin the art will recognize that the medical illumination illustrated inFIG. 2 becomes increasingly useful and valuable as the complexity of theinfusion situation increases such as that in the example of FIG. 1.

In the example of FIG. 2, the infusion line (108 b) is depicted as beingcurrently illuminated. Such illumination occurs by exposing a source ofillumination to an illuminating infusion line according to embodimentsof the present invention. As discussed in more detail below, suchsources of illumination may be handheld sources of illuminationadministered by a medical practitioner, attachable sources ofillumination for attachment onto the illuminating infusion line, sourcesof illumination integrated into the illuminating infusion line, sourcesof illumination integrated into an infusion pump, sources ofillumination integrated into an infusion manifold, or any other sourceof illumination that will occur to those of skill in the art.

Those of skill in the art will recognize that illuminating an infusionline provides increased aid to a medical practitioner tracing the linefrom the origin of the solution being administered through the infusionline to the patient. Those of skill in the art will also recognize thathaving the light transmission channel that illuminates the infusion lineintegrated with the fluid transmission line minimizes the risk of havinga line identification system not attached to the infusion line itselfwhich also provides increased aid to the medical practitioner in tracingthe line and thereby provides increased safety to the patient. Those ofskill in the art will even further recognize that having the lighttransmission channel that illuminates the infusion line integrated withthe fluid transmission line reduces the need or risk of a medicalpractitioner improperly attaching auxiliary light transmission channelto an infusion line as the light transmission channel is alreadyintegrated into the infusion line.

The integration of light transmission channels and fluid transmissionchannels in illuminating infusion lines according to embodiments of thepresent invention may be implemented in a number of forms. For furtherexplanation, FIG. 3 sets forth a line drawing of a cross section of anilluminating infusion line according to embodiments of the presentinvention. In the example of FIG. 3, the illuminating infusion line(108) has a fluid transmission channel (304) and a light transmissionchannel (302) that are integrated by the infusion line structure (306).In some embodiments of the present invention, an illuminating infusionline such as the one depicted in FIG. 3 may be created through anextrusion process. An extrusion process is typically used to createobjects of a fixed or semi-fixed cross sectional profile. A material istypically pushed through a die of the desired cross section. Extrusionprovides the ability to create very complex cross sections. Extrusionoften also forms parts with good surface finish. The infusion linestructure (306) of the example of FIG. 3 may be made through extrusionfrom a number of materials as will occur to those of skill in the art.Examples of suitable materials include plastic compositions such aslinear, branched, and cross-linked polymers, isomers, polymer blends,and others that will occur to those of skill in the art.

The light transmission channel of the example of FIG. 3 may beimplemented as an optical fiber residing or extruded within the infusionline structure (306). In such embodiments, the infusion line structure(306) is made of a material which is to some degree transparent forvisual aid to the medical practitioner. That is, in such embodiments,when the optical fiber or other material residing in the lighttransmission channel is illuminated, the illumination is visible throughthe infusion line structure such that the illuminating infusion line maybe traced by the medical practitioner. Any variable degree of opacity isapplicable and would be understood to those of skill in the art.

The description of the use of an optical fiber residing in the lighttransmission channel is for explanation and not for limitation. Thelight transmission channel may also be implemented with a number ofmaterials including photoluminescent materials, chemiluminescentmaterials, electroluminescent materials and other luminescent materialsas will occur to those of skill in the art. Photoluminescence is lightemission from any form of matter after the absorption of photons(electromagnetic radiation). Photoluminescence is one of many forms ofluminescence (light emission) and is initiated by photoexcitation(excitation by photons). Following excitation, various relaxationprocesses typically occur in which other photons are re-radiated. Timeperiods between absorption and emission may vary: ranging from shortfemtosecond-regime for emission involving free-carrier plasma ininorganic semiconductors up to milliseconds for phosphorescent processesin molecular systems, and under special circumstances delay of emissionmay even span to minutes or hours.

The light transmission channel may also be implemented with achemiluminescent material. Chemiluminescence (sometimes“chemoluminescence”) is the emission of light (luminescence), as theresult of a chemical reaction. Chemiluminescence differs fromphotoluminescence and electroluminescence in that the excited state is aproduct of a chemical reaction. Various types of chemical reactions canoccur, such reactions can occur under liquid phase reactions and gasphase reactions.

The light transmission channel may also be implemented with anelectroluminescent material. Electroluminescence is an opticalphenomenon and electrical phenomenon in which a material emits light inresponse to the passage of an electric current or to the presence of anelectric field. Electroluminescent material may be implemented as one ormore electroluminescent wires embedded within the structure of theilluminating infusion line. Such electroluminescent wire may beimplemented, for example, as a thin copper wire coated in a phosphorwhich glows when an alternating current is applied to it.

The light transmission channel may also be implemented throughelectromagnetic illumination, chemical illumination, fluorescence, orany other form of illumination that will occur to those of skill in theart.

The example illuminating infusion line of FIG. 3 also includes a fluidtransmission channel (304). The fluid transmission channel of FIG. 3 isimplemented as a conduit or hollow passage through the infusion linestructure that allows the transmission of fluids through the line. Sucha fluid transmission channel may be manufactured for direct attachmentto current medical infusion platforms and components including filters,infusion pumps, manifolds, and other infusion components that will occurto those of skill in the art.

For further explanation, FIG. 4 sets forth a line drawing of anilluminating infusion line having a cross section similar to theilluminating infusion line of the example of FIG. 3. The illuminatinginfusion line (108) of FIG. 4 is similar to the infusion line of FIG. 3in that the infusion line of FIG. 4 has a light transmission channel(302) and a fluid transmission channel (304) which are integratedthrough the infusion line structure (306). The illuminating infusionline of FIG. 4 however also has an exposure (402) allowing the lighttransmission channel (302) to be separated from the fluid transmissionchannel (304) such that a source of illumination (308) may be used todirectly illuminate the light transmission channel and thereforeilluminating the infusion line.

In the example of FIG. 4, the source of illumination (308) isimplemented as a source of laser light (406) and the light transmissionchannel (302) is implemented as an optical fiber. The light transmissionchannel of FIG. 4 has a source point (404) at the end of the lighttransmission channel (302) which is allowed separation from the fluidtransmission channel through the exposure (402). The separation of thelight transmission channel (302) from the fluid transmission channel(304) in the example of FIG. 4 allows a hand-held source of illumination(308) such as that depicted to be exposed upon the light transmissionchannel (302).

The laser light (406) from the source of illumination (308) in theexample of FIG. 4 is directed upon the source point (404). Directing thelaser light (406) on the source point (404) illuminates the fiber opticlight transmission channel (302) and in turn illuminates theilluminating infusion line.

The use of fiber optics and laser light in the example of FIG. 4 is forexplanation and not for limitation. As mentioned above, the lighttransmission channel of FIG. 4 may be implemented with photoluminescentmaterial, chemiluminescent material, electroluminescent material or anyother luminescent material or light transmission or light activationmaterial that will occur to those of skill in the art. Sources ofillumination according to embodiments of the present invention may besources of light such as sources of white light, light emitting diodes(‘LEDs’), organic light emitting diodes (‘OLEDs’), laser light andothers as well as sources of illumination through electricity,chemistry, sound, material properties, or others as will occur to thoseof skill in the art.

In the example of FIG. 4, the source of illumination (308) is shown asdetached from the light transmission channel. This is for ease ofexplanation and not for limitation. In many embodiments of medicalillumination according to the present invention the source ofillumination is attached to the light transmission channel or theinfusion line and such attachment may come in many forms as will occurto those of skill in the art.

The example illuminating infusion lines of FIGS. 3 and 4 have a lighttransmission channel (302) with a separate infusion line structuresurrounding the light transmission channel and integrating that lighttransmission channel with a fluid transmission channel. For furtherexplanation, FIG. 5 sets forth a line drawing illustrating a crosssection of an illuminating infusion line according to embodiments of thepresent invention. In the example of FIG. 5, the fluid transmissionchannel (304) is implemented as a conduit surrounded by the infusionline structure (502). The example of FIG. 5 differs from the example ofFIG. 3 in that the light transmission channel (502) is implemented asthe infusion line structure itself. In the example of FIG. 5, theinfusion line structure and the light transmission channel are the samestructure. In this example, the material of the infusion line structureis itself a light transmission channel such that by applying a source ofillumination to the infusion line structure causes the material of theinfusion line structure to illuminate and in turn illuminate theinfusion line itself. Such a combination infusion line structure andlight transmission channel may be made of photoluminescent material aswill occur to those of skill in the art. Such a material may beimplemented as a fast-absorption, fast-emission material or other usefulmaterial as will occur to those of skill in the art.

For further explanation, FIG. 6 sets forth a line drawing of anilluminating infusion line having a cross section similar to theinfusion line of FIG. 5. In the example of FIG. 5, the illuminatinginfusion line has an application location (602) for the application ofthe source of illumination (308). In the example of FIG. 6, the sourceof illumination is implemented as a clip-type source of illuminationwhich allows the source of illumination to be clipped onto theilluminating infusion line (108) at the application location (602). Theclip-type source of illumination (308) of FIG. 6 has a light source(604) that corresponds to a source point (404) allowing light to bedirected through the source point to the structure of the illuminatinginfusion line such that the illuminating infusion line illuminates.

The use of a light source in the example of FIG. 6 is for explanationand not for limitation. In fact, the light source (604) of FIG. 6 may besubstituted for a source of current for electroluminescent illuminationof the illuminating infusion line as will occur to those of skill in theart. The source of illumination of FIG. 6 may also be implemented as anysource of illumination as described above for illumination offluorescent material, chemical illumination, and others as will occur tothose of skill in the art.

For further explanation, FIG. 7 sets forth a line drawing illustratingthe cross section of another example embodiment of an illuminatinginfusion line according to embodiments of the present invention. In theexample of FIG. 7, the illuminating infusion line (108) has a fluidtransmission channel and a light transmission channel (302) that areintegrated by the infusion line structure (306). In the example of FIG.7 the fluid transmission channel is implemented as a conduit that allowsthe transmission or flow of medical solution, fluid or other infusionmaterial. In the example of FIG. 7 the light transmission channel (302)surrounds the fluid transmission channel (304). As described above, thelight transmission channel (302) may be implemented withphotoluminescent, chemiluminescent, electroluminescent, or any otherluminescent material that will occur to those of skill in the art.

In the example of FIG. 7, the light transmission channel is shown ascompletely surrounding the fluid transmission channel. This is forexplanation and not for limitation. In some embodiments the lighttransmission channel may be implemented as only partially surroundingthe fluid transmission channel as will occur to those of skill in theart.

For further explanation, FIG. 8 sets forth a line drawing illustrating across section of another example embodiment of an illuminating infusionline according to embodiments of the present invention. In the exampleof FIG. 8, the illuminating infusion line (108) has a fluid transmissionchannel and a light transmission channel (302) that are integrated. Inthe example of FIG. 7 the fluid transmission channel is implemented as aconduit surrounded by the infusion line structure (306) that allows thetransmission or flow of medical fluid or other medical solution as willoccur to those of skill in the art. In the example of FIG. 8, the lighttransmission channel (302) surrounds the fluid transmission channel. Inthe example of FIG. 8, the light transmission channel is implemented asa channel attached to, coated upon, extruded, deposited upon, orotherwise affixed to the exterior of the infusion line structure. Such alight transmission channel may be affixed to the exterior of theinfusion line structure through vapor deposition, paint application, orin other ways as will occur to those of skill in the art. The example ofFIG. 8 depicts the light transmission channel as completely surroundingthe infusion line structure. This is for explanation and not forlimitation. In fact, a light transmission channel may be affixed to theexterior of the infusion line structure in a number of ways. Forexample, the light transmission channel may be affixed to the infusionline structure by painting or otherwise coating an illuminating materialdown the side of the infusion lines structure and in turn theilluminating infusion line itself. As described above, the lighttransmission channel (302) of FIG. 8 may be implemented withphotoluminescent, chemiluminescent, electroluminescent, fluorescent,chemical illuminating, or any other luminescent material that will occurto those of skill in the art.

As mentioned above with reference to FIG. 1, medical infusion oftenmakes use of in-line components that may reside between the infusionpump, syringe or other origin of medical infusion and the patientreceiving the infusion. Examples of such in-line components includefilters, valves, access points, manifolds, and other in-line componentsas will occur to those of skill in the art. Illuminated medical infusionaccording to embodiments of the present invention therefore contemplatesthat illuminating infusion lines should be illuminated on both sides ofsuch an in-line component such that the infusion may be traced acrossthe in-line component. For further explanation, FIG. 9 sets forth a linedrawing illustrating an example embodiment of a synchronous light sourcefor illuminated medical infusion according to embodiments of the presentinvention. In the example of FIG. 9, illuminating infusion lines (108 aand 108 b) according to embodiments of the present invention reside oneither end of a filter (112). The fluid transmission channels of each ofthe illuminating infusion lines (108 a and 108 b) are attached to thefilter (112) such that medical infusion passes through the filter (112)as will occur to those of skill in the art.

Also residing on either end of the filter (112) of FIG. 9, are a pair ofsynchronous sources of illumination (902 a and 902 b). In the example ofFIG. 9, the sources of illumination are synchronous in the sense thatactivating one of the sources of illumination (902 a) activates theother source of illumination (902 b) thereby illuminating bothilluminating infusion lines (108 a and 108 b). The sources ofillumination (902 a and 902 b) may be synchronously activated throughwired or wireless communications as will occur to those of skill in theart. Examples of wired communications may be electrical, fiber optic, orothers as will occur to those of skill in the art. Examples of wirelesscommunications include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G, LTE or others as willoccur to those of skill in the art.

The example of FIG. 9 depicts synchronous sources of illumination. Thisis for explanation and not for limitation. In other embodiments of thepresent invention, the sources of illumination may be independent andasynchronous as will occur to those of skill in the art.

In the example of FIG. 9, the light transmission channel of theilluminating infusion lines (108 a and 108 b) are disconnected. Thedescription of disconnected light transmission channels is forexplanation and not for limitation. For further explanation, FIG. 10sets forth a line drawing illustrating an example embodiment of anilluminating infusion line (108) having a disconnected fluidtransmission channel with a continuous light transmission channel. Inthe example of FIG. 10, the illuminating infusion line (108) has adisconnected fluid transmission channel (304) leaving two ends of thefluid transmission channel (304 a and 304 b) such that either end of thefluid (304 a and 304 b) may be connected to the filter (112) or otherin-line infusion component. In the example of FIG. 10, the lighttransmission channel is continuous. That is, the light transmissionchannel is uninterrupted across the inline component, in this case afilter, to illuminate the line. The continuous and uninterrupted natureof the light transmission channel allows the illuminating infusion lineto be illuminated across the filter using sources of illumination on anyportion of the illuminating infusion line discussed above and as willoccur to those of skill in the art.

For further explanation, FIGS. 11A and 11B set forth line drawings of aninline component with an integrated light transmission channel. In theexamples of FIGS. 11A and 11B, the inline component is illustrated as afilter. This is for explanation and not for limitation. In fact, anynumber of inline components may include integrated light transmissionchannels for illuminated medical infusion according to embodiments ofthe present invention. In the examples of FIGS. 11A and 11B, theilluminating infusion lines (108) may be attached to either side of thefilter (112) such that the integrated light transmission channel (304)of the filter 112 is illuminated when the light transmission channel ofeither illuminating infusion line is illuminated to provide continuousillumination across the inline component—in this example a filter (112).

As discussed above, illuminating infusion lines many be illuminated witha number of sources of illumination including handheld sources ofillumination, sources of illumination attached to the illuminatinginfusion lines, and sources of illumination integrated into variouscomponents used in medical infusion according to embodiments of thepresent invention. For further explanation, FIG. 12 sets forth a linedrawing illustrating an infusion manifold with an integrated source ofillumination. In the example of FIG. 12, the infusion manifold has twointegrated sources of illumination (604 and 606). The example infusionmanifold of FIG. 12 includes an interior integrated source ofillumination. That is, one example source of illumination (604) of FIG.12 is integrated into the interior of the body of the manifold (960) andilluminates the illuminating infusion line (108 a) through the interiorsource of illumination (604). The example of FIG. 12 also includes anexterior source of illumination (606). The example exterior integratedsource of illumination (606) is a source of illumination integrated tothe outside of the infusion manifold (960). As with other sources ofillumination described herein, the sources of illumination in theexample of FIG. 12 may be implemented as sources of light, sources ofelectricity, chemical, or other sources of illumination that will occurto those of skill in the art.

For further explanation, FIG. 13 sets forth a line drawing illustratingan infusion pump with an integrated source of illumination. In theexample of FIG. 13, the infusion pump has two integrated sources ofillumination (972 and 974). The example infusion pump of FIG. 13includes an interior integrated source of illumination. That is, theinfusion pump includes a source of illumination that is integrated intothe interior of the body of the infusion pump and illuminates theilluminating infusion line (108 a) through the interior source ofillumination (972). In the example of FIG. 13, the infusion pump (970)also includes an exterior source of illumination (974). The exteriorintegrated source of illumination (974) is a source of illuminationintegrated to the outside of the infusion pump (970). As with othersources of illumination described herein, the sources of illumination inthe example of FIG. 13 may be implemented as sources of light, sourcesof electricity, chemical, or other sources of illumination that willoccur to those of skill in the art.

The examples of FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate sources of illuminationintegrated into an infusion manifold and an infusion pump. This is forexplanation and not for limitation. Sources of illumination according toembodiments of the present invention may be integrated into anycomponent for illuminated medical infusion according to embodiments ofthe present invention including filters, valves, access ports, or anyother component for medical infusion that will occur to those of skillin the art.

In the examples presented above, the light transmission channel isdescribed as being directed to illumination without additionalfunctionality imparted to the light transmission channel. In fact, inadditional embodiments of the present invention, the light transmissionchannel may also provide more functionality. The light transmissionchannel may, for example, also be used to transmit data. In embodimentswhere the light transmission channel is implemented as an optical fiber,the light transmission channel may provide data transmission between anynumber of components, such as data communications from an infusion pumpto a manifold, other line impediments, and so on as will occur to thoseof skill in the art. Furthermore, electroluminescence and pulsing withtechnologies such as those described above and others may furtherprovide the ability to transmit data through the light transmissionchannel as will occur to those of skill in the art. Components receivingdata transmission typically also include the functionality forreplicating the data received and retransmitting that data to one ormore other components useful in illuminated medical infusion accordingto embodiments of the present invention.

Data that may be usefully transmitted across the light transmissionchannel may include the flow rate of the medical infusion, arepresentation or identification of the drug or fluid infused, physicalparameters of the system configuration of the medical infusion set-upgenerally, specific gravity of the medical infusion, pressure of themedical infusion, status of the medication, identification of thepatient, medical practitioner or other operative, trigger alarms such aschanges in pressure or flow rate, schedule of various changes in the setof up the medical infusion or any other data that will occur to those ofskill in the art. Furthermore, data transmission is not limited to datacommunications across the light transmission channel. Wirelesscommunications may also be implemented for data communications among oneor more components of illuminated medical infusion according toembodiments of the present invention including infusion pumps, inlineimpediments, manifolds and many others as will occur to those of skillin the art.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations setforth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure.Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-describedembodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit andprinciples of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations areintended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure andprotected by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An illuminating medical infusion system forinfusion line identification comprising: a medical infusion pump; anilluminating infusion line originating from the medical infusion pump;wherein the illuminating infusion line has a source of illuminationlocated at the medical infusion pump; and wherein the source ofillumination is coupled with the medical infusion pump; wherein theilluminating infusion line includes an integrated fluid transmissionchannel and light transmission channel; the light transmission channelbeing formed continuous to the exterior of the fluid transmissionchannel; and wherein the proximal end of the fluid transmission channelis connected to the medical infusion pump and the distal end of thefluid transmission channel is connected to a medical entry port to thebody of a patient; and wherein the fluid transmission channel deliversfluids to the body of the patient; and wherein the proximal end of thelight transmission channel is connected to the source of illuminationthat is coupled with the medical infusion pump; the distal end of thelight transmission channel terminates at the medical entry port to thebody of the patient; and wherein the illuminating infusion line providesvisible illumination exterior to the body of the patient and along theentire length of the illuminating infusion line; wherein the fluidtransmission channel and light transmission channel are continuous forthe entire length of the illuminating infusion line; and wherein thefluid transmission channel includes at least one in-line impediment; andwherein the fluid transmission channel traverses through the at leastone in-line impediment; and wherein the light transmission channeltraverses the at least one in-line impediment and provides visibleillumination across the at least one in-line impediment by passingexterior to the at least one in-line impediment and being contiguous tothe exterior of the at least one in-line impediment.
 2. The medicalinfusion system of claim 1 wherein the source of illumination is a lightemitting diode that is coupled with the medical infusion pump.
 3. Themedical infusion system of claim 1 wherein the source of illumination isan organic light emitting diode that is coupled with the medicalinfusion pump.
 4. The medical infusion system of claim 1 wherein thesource of illumination is electroluminescence that is coupled with themedical infusion pump.
 5. The medical infusion system of claim 1 whereinthe source of illumination is coupled to a exterior housing of themedical infusion pump.
 6. The medical infusion system of claim 1 whereinthe source of illumination is coupled to a interior housing of themedical infusion pump.
 7. The medical infusion system of claim 1 whereinthe source of illumination is powered by the medical infusion pump. 8.The medical infusion system of claim 1 wherein the at least one in-lineimpediment comprises a filter.
 9. The medical infusion system of claim 1wherein the at least one in-line impediment comprises an access port.10. The medical infusion system of claim 1 wherein the at least onein-line impediment comprises a bolus port.
 11. The medical infusionsystem of claim 1 wherein the at least one in-line impediment comprisesa manifold.
 12. The medical infusion system of claim 1 wherein themedical infusion pump is comprised of multiple infusion pumps, whereineach medical infusion pump is capable of connection to a separate andindividual illuminating infusion line.
 13. The medical infusion systemof claim 1 wherein the medical infusion pump is equipped with anexternal power casing in which the light transmission channel of theilluminating infusion line is connected.
 14. The medical infusion systemof claim 1 wherein the light transmission channel traverses the at leastone in-line impediment and provides visible illumination across the atleast one in-line impediment by adhering externally to the at least onein-line impediment.